"What a difference a fortnight makes!
The major talking point over the past couple of weeks concerned the reported possibility that the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, could be given to another country, rather than the West Indies. This was emphatically denied by President of the ICC, Eshan Mani and CEO of the ICC, Malcolm Speed, during a recent press conference, which was held at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion Hotel, on the west coast of Barbados.
During that press conference, both men showed that they have tremendous confidence in the progress, which the organising committee has completed to this point. Speed reiterated the view that the West Indies had earned the right to host the 2007 ICC World Cup.
Speed’s comments came at the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for the headquarters of ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc, in Kingston, Jamaica, recently. He attributed the position which the West Indies had been placed in, to “hard work, great performance on the cricket field, and proving to the rest of the cricket world that you have the ability, as administrators to run one of the world’s major sporting events. World cricket is looking forward to this event. There are many people around the world who are planning now to come to the Caribbean in 2007. It will be a great event. ICC has a great deal of faith in the cricket administrators, cricket supporters, governments throughout the West Indies to run this event in 2007. We’ve got a great deal of faith that in partnership with the other cricketing countries, with ICC, that in 2007 you’ll put on a world class event that will have a unique Caribbean flavour,” Speed added.
When Speed spoke of the West Indies earning the right to host the World Cup, he was referring to an event which took place, five years ago. At that time, the West Indies outbid other countries for the honour of hosting the event, especially since of the major Test-playing countries and official full members of the ICC, West Indies had yet to host a major ICC event. The 2007 edition of the World Cup, following on the heels of the 2003 edition which was contested in South Africa, will put an end to this problem.
In the feature address, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government for CARICOM, P.J. Patterson said his government expected that the cornerstone laying would provide “a good foundation and platform for the preparation of this tournament and the fulfillment of the high expectations of not only Jamaica, but the rest of the West Indies and indeed, the entire world.”
Patterson noted that “Jamaica did not hesitate to offer itself, not in a spirit of rivalry, but as a contribution to the game the furthering of Caribbean integration and in recognition that we could offer the requisite facilities. The choice of Jamaica indicates the recognition of the strength of our physical and financial infrastructure to host such an important Headquarters, which has to be dealing with institutions and countries on a worldwide basis.”
The future headquarters will be leased to the ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. from now until a year after the World Cup at a cost of J$1.00 per year. The Jamaica government is also refurbishing the facility, which will be ready for occupancy by the ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. by mid November.
The official signing of the Host Agreement also solidified the next stage of the process. With the ICC offering the re-assurance that they will be with the West Indies, every step of the way, ensuring the movement forward in the next four years, is not as rocky as some would like to believe. The agreement covers the legalities of the entire tournament, making West Indies, the legitimate hosts of the event and effectively empowers the region and its cricket authorities to move ahead with improvements to the various grounds and other necessary improvements.
Already the signs are evident. The Venue Assessment Teams are already making their assessments of the cricket stadia in the region, with their reports indicating the amount of work which is vital to that ground, becoming a viable host for major matches, as each match in the World Cup effectively is. With 16 teams announced to be involved in the preliminary round of the World Cup, it offers even more possibilities to host countries, who will be used as bases for each team. It is a lot to think about.
So expect a hectic next couple of years. Grounds will be chosen, which would mean that work will begin in earnest, shortly. There is a possibility that disruptions could be happen for future regional First Class season matches. Other First Class venues might have to be used for the Carib Beer Cup, if major reconstructive work is warranted.
Other issues will have to be addressed between now and then. One will be transportation. The movement of huge amounts of people in one direction, during peak rush hour morning traffic will be a problem in countries currently struggling with traffic issues. It was recently discussed that alternative means of transport may have to be looked at. Sea travel along the coastal waters along with parking outside of Bridgetown; thereby requiring shuttling people in buses to the ground. All of these possibilities will be looked at.
Infrastructure needs to be addressed. Roads need to be well surfaced and accessible and able to support serious traffic. All arteries into main cities need to be well paved, and people need to look at it as a necessary improvement, which will benefit furture generations, not just the respective visitors.
Those are all physical changes. Mental approaches need to be looked at also.
It must be remembered that people will form an opinion of a country based on perhaps their first contacts. Our delivery services also need to be looked at. Accommodation will also be a major factor, as these visitors need to be housed comfortably.
All West Indians need to realise that the success of the tournament will not depend solely on cricket authorities, but on each member of society. If crime soars, some team might express the view that it is unsafe and the country in question, will perhaps miss out on the benefits available by a World Cup. It is a team effort and everyone needs to get onboard. "Barbados Advocate
The major talking point over the past couple of weeks concerned the reported possibility that the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, could be given to another country, rather than the West Indies. This was emphatically denied by President of the ICC, Eshan Mani and CEO of the ICC, Malcolm Speed, during a recent press conference, which was held at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion Hotel, on the west coast of Barbados.
During that press conference, both men showed that they have tremendous confidence in the progress, which the organising committee has completed to this point. Speed reiterated the view that the West Indies had earned the right to host the 2007 ICC World Cup.
Speed’s comments came at the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for the headquarters of ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc, in Kingston, Jamaica, recently. He attributed the position which the West Indies had been placed in, to “hard work, great performance on the cricket field, and proving to the rest of the cricket world that you have the ability, as administrators to run one of the world’s major sporting events. World cricket is looking forward to this event. There are many people around the world who are planning now to come to the Caribbean in 2007. It will be a great event. ICC has a great deal of faith in the cricket administrators, cricket supporters, governments throughout the West Indies to run this event in 2007. We’ve got a great deal of faith that in partnership with the other cricketing countries, with ICC, that in 2007 you’ll put on a world class event that will have a unique Caribbean flavour,” Speed added.
When Speed spoke of the West Indies earning the right to host the World Cup, he was referring to an event which took place, five years ago. At that time, the West Indies outbid other countries for the honour of hosting the event, especially since of the major Test-playing countries and official full members of the ICC, West Indies had yet to host a major ICC event. The 2007 edition of the World Cup, following on the heels of the 2003 edition which was contested in South Africa, will put an end to this problem.
In the feature address, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government for CARICOM, P.J. Patterson said his government expected that the cornerstone laying would provide “a good foundation and platform for the preparation of this tournament and the fulfillment of the high expectations of not only Jamaica, but the rest of the West Indies and indeed, the entire world.”
Patterson noted that “Jamaica did not hesitate to offer itself, not in a spirit of rivalry, but as a contribution to the game the furthering of Caribbean integration and in recognition that we could offer the requisite facilities. The choice of Jamaica indicates the recognition of the strength of our physical and financial infrastructure to host such an important Headquarters, which has to be dealing with institutions and countries on a worldwide basis.”
The future headquarters will be leased to the ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. from now until a year after the World Cup at a cost of J$1.00 per year. The Jamaica government is also refurbishing the facility, which will be ready for occupancy by the ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. by mid November.
The official signing of the Host Agreement also solidified the next stage of the process. With the ICC offering the re-assurance that they will be with the West Indies, every step of the way, ensuring the movement forward in the next four years, is not as rocky as some would like to believe. The agreement covers the legalities of the entire tournament, making West Indies, the legitimate hosts of the event and effectively empowers the region and its cricket authorities to move ahead with improvements to the various grounds and other necessary improvements.
Already the signs are evident. The Venue Assessment Teams are already making their assessments of the cricket stadia in the region, with their reports indicating the amount of work which is vital to that ground, becoming a viable host for major matches, as each match in the World Cup effectively is. With 16 teams announced to be involved in the preliminary round of the World Cup, it offers even more possibilities to host countries, who will be used as bases for each team. It is a lot to think about.
So expect a hectic next couple of years. Grounds will be chosen, which would mean that work will begin in earnest, shortly. There is a possibility that disruptions could be happen for future regional First Class season matches. Other First Class venues might have to be used for the Carib Beer Cup, if major reconstructive work is warranted.
Other issues will have to be addressed between now and then. One will be transportation. The movement of huge amounts of people in one direction, during peak rush hour morning traffic will be a problem in countries currently struggling with traffic issues. It was recently discussed that alternative means of transport may have to be looked at. Sea travel along the coastal waters along with parking outside of Bridgetown; thereby requiring shuttling people in buses to the ground. All of these possibilities will be looked at.
Infrastructure needs to be addressed. Roads need to be well surfaced and accessible and able to support serious traffic. All arteries into main cities need to be well paved, and people need to look at it as a necessary improvement, which will benefit furture generations, not just the respective visitors.
Those are all physical changes. Mental approaches need to be looked at also.
It must be remembered that people will form an opinion of a country based on perhaps their first contacts. Our delivery services also need to be looked at. Accommodation will also be a major factor, as these visitors need to be housed comfortably.
All West Indians need to realise that the success of the tournament will not depend solely on cricket authorities, but on each member of society. If crime soars, some team might express the view that it is unsafe and the country in question, will perhaps miss out on the benefits available by a World Cup. It is a team effort and everyone needs to get onboard. "Barbados Advocate
